Roberto de Assis Moreira

At the age of 16 Assis was already showing potential on Gremio's youth team and would gain the attention of Torino, who would try to steal the player in what would be dubbed 'the Assis Kidnap,' ultimately forcing Gremio to act quickly and sign on Assis by offering his family a sign on bonus of a new house with a swimming pool, where his father would drown. Assis made a name for himself early on at Gremio, winning three consecutive state titles between 1988 and 1990. Despite this success, and interest for him to play on Brazil's national team in 1992, hardship would again find him as Assis suffered a serious knee injury in 1991, sidelining him for 8 months. Gremio would sell Assis to Swiss team FC Sion in 1992 who he would play with until 1995, where he would win his first Swiss Cup in 1995; before being loaned out to several teams, helping Sporting CP win the Portuguese Super Cup in 1995, before returning in 1996. He would stay through the 1997 season, helping his team win another cup and becoming Swiss Champions. Then he went to stints in Portugal, Japan, Mexico, and returning to Brazil before finishing his athletic career with Montpellier HSC in France.

Relationship with Ronaldinho

Today, Assis acts as his brother's agent and adviser, and is credited by many, including Ronaldinho himself, as a major influence and guiding force for his brother. Assis has been described as an idol to his younger brother by some onlookers. Ronaldinho described his brother in January 2020 as a "brother, father, partner, [and] footballer" while onlookers, like Brazilian footballer Walter Casagrande, claimed Ronaldinho was simply being childish for relying too much on his older brother. During his acceptance speech after receiving the FIFA World Player of the Year award for a second consecutive year in December 2005, Ronaldinho paid tribute to his brother: "He's my idol. He's been through a lot and has helped me every step of the way. He has encouraged me never to stop trying."

Son

Assis has also fathered a son who attempted to make a career in the sport like Assis and his uncle. His son, Diego Assis, joined Flamengo's youth team while Ronaldinho was playing for them and would leave alongside his uncle. Assis's son would go on to join Cruzeiro-RS for a short period in 2014 like Assis's father had previously done.

Legal troubles

Assis began having legal troubles in 2003 when he was arrested and sentenced to 5 years and 5 months under a 'semi-open regime' for money laundering. He would later be fined roughly 1.5 million dollars, alongside his brother, for building a fishing platform along the Guaíba River in a…